Explore the Historic Sun Inn Museum in Bethlehem!

Overview

Step back in time and see where some of the nations early leaders including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin stayed before our nation was founded!

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Address: 564 Main Street, Bethlehem, Pa 18018

Category: Museum

Duration: >30mins Museum

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Location

The Sun Inn is located at 564 Main Street along Bethlehem’s historic Main Street. Metered street parking is available along Main Street and neighboring streets. The Inn is surrounded by many shops and restaurants in the area.

The museum is open free to the public for self guided tours during the hours the Tavern and Spirit Shop operate.

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History

The Sun Inn welcomed travelers to this newly formed community of Moravians starting in 1760. The Inn served as a luxury for travelers and became an integral rest stop for our nation’s founders and military chieftains. The Inn was expanded in the 1800s to accommodate more travelers. By the 1960s, the Sun Inn closed to travelers but was saved from demolition and deemed a historical landmark soon after.

The Sun Inn’s location between Philadelphia and New York City provided a refuge for soldiers and leaders. Notable guests include General George Washington, Martha Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin. Several signers of the Declaration including John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Harrison.

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Exploring the Museum

The museum is broken into four rooms. You start in the The Gaststube or “Guest Parlor.” The room would be used as a waiting room as guests would be entertained as they wait for their room or coach. It features an historical timeline of the inn along the wall.

The Martha Washington Suite would have been the highlight of a trip for anyone in the 1700s. The room is separated into 2 bedrooms and has its own common area. This is one of the first examples of a suite style room in the New World. Thanks to meticulous record keeping by the Moravian Church, records indicate Martha Washington stayed in this suite on June 15, 1779.

Ever hear the phrase “Sleep tight?” Some believe the phrase comes from the type of rope bed frames found in this period. The phrase did not appear until 1866, when the word “tightly” was a synonym for “soundly.” A luxury for guests was the “necessary chair” as seen in the corner of the photo above. Chairs like this meant the guest did not have to go outside to use the bathroom. 

Innkeepers would prepare meals using a large hearth. While the one shown is a replica, the hearth provided plenty of room to cook various foods for the guests of the time. The room also displays various tools of the time period, including a candle mold and a loom.

What would have been the Innkeepers room during the colonial period is now home to a small shop for Christmas City Spirits. The room highlights the history of distilling in the area and by the Moravians.

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Dining

The Sun Inn still pays tribute to its roots as a gathering place by operating a tavern. The Tavern at the Sun Inn operates Wednesday – Sunday from noon – 9pm. During nice weather, guests can dine outside in the Courtyard. Seating is limited and reservations can be made on the Sun Inn’s Website.

A Haunted Inn?!

With the Sun Inn being built over 260 years ago, some believe that the Inn is haunted with spirits (and not the alcoholic kind). Multiple paranormal investigators have claimed to have found evidence of paranormal activity. The Sun Inn also hosts adult ghost tours that include spirit drinks from Christmas City Spirits on the tour.

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